Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation

For good. For ever.

306 South University Avenue Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858 United States

(989) 773-7322

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Isabella County, now and for generations to come, by attracting and holding permanent endowed funds from a wide range of donors, addressing needs through grant making and providing leadership on key community issues.

Schafer Community Impact Fund

Born and raised in Isabella County, Amanda Schafer grew up as an active member of the Mt. Pleasant community. She attended Sacred Heart Academy, participated actively in what was the Volunteer Center of Isabella County, and worked at Doozie’s Ice Cream Place. Completing degrees in Sociology (Alma College) and College Student Personnel (Bowling Green State University), Amanda spent ten years working in the nonprofit sector before returning to Mt. Pleasant to become the Executive Director of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation in 2009.

Amanda Schafer with Community Impact Fund endowed fund agreement

In 2015, Amanda established the Schafer Community Impact Fund with her family as a way to support her community with a gift that would last forever. The fund was a way to demonstrate her personal commitment to community. “This isn’t just my 9 to 5 job,” Amanda said about philanthropy. “It’s what I believe is important all the time.”

As a relatively young professional, Amanda hopes to be an example to other potential philanthropists. “It’s true, I often talk with donors of a certain age about the legacy they want to leave for our home county,” she said. “But, you don’t have to be a senior citizen to think about our community’s future, and you certainly don’t have to wait until retirement to start an endowment fund.” Amanda wanted to show that starting a fund is an attainable goal for anyone. “I’m certainly not wealthy, but I can commit to building this fund over time,” she explained. “We all can be philanthropists!”